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When it comes to fashion, most designers are brooding creative types that like to hide behind the scenes.  But for Gydja Collection, founder, CEO and Creative Director, Sigrun Lilja, proudly represents her brand as the ultimate symbol of girl power. The Icelandic businesswoman founded Gydja Collection in 2007 when she was just 24 years old. With only £1000 in seed money, she started building her empire one product at a time.  Now, Gydja is one of the most widely recognised brands in Iceland. And she’s making quite a splash stateside.

Girl Power - the clothes maiden

Known simply as Lilja, the design wunderkind has built Gydja Collection’s reputation through a series of high-profile launches for handbags and signature fragrances.  The 2010 launch of her first fragrance, EFJ Eyjafjallajokull, was widely hailed as a massive success. Named after the Icelandic volcano that erupted the same year as the perfume release, EFJ was made of water extracted from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier.  But it’s her most recent launch that’s attracted the most fanfare the brand has received to date.

Iceland’s Ultimate Symbol of Girl Power - the clothes maiden

Gydja’s stack-style watches, made from eco-friendly fish leather, have been touted as Iceland’s answer to Michael Kors watches.  And celebs like Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and Sofia Vergara can all be counted as fans of the stylish timepieces. However, Lilja isn’t just a design talent.  She’s also built a name for herself as an author and entrepreneurial motivator.  She received the Awards from The US National Academy of Best-selling Authors in both 2011 and 2012.  Additionally, in 2011, she received a special recognition award from the European Union Women Inventors & Innovators Network.

Lilja Continues Reign As Iceland’s Ultimate Symbol of Girl Power - The Clothes Maiden

Despite her multiple achievements and the continued growth of her lifestyle empire, Lilja isn’t content to keep her knowledge to herself.  She teaches ‘Empower Women’ workshops in an effort to motivate other women to chase their business dreams.  From innovative product releases to charitable causes, Lilja is a global reminder of what girl power can achieve. We have to admit that we are getting excited for the launch of the Icelandic brand here in the UK that Lilja has said is planned later this year.

Lina Ayers

Gydja has already made a little pre-launch as they already offer FREE shipping within the UK from their online shop.